Posted on January 19, 2010September 9, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Spalted Maple Mold Questions: Spalted Maple Mold by Bob Woodcock Originally published in American Lutherie #69, 2002 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Six, 2013 Mike Collins of Argyle, New York asks: I just came across some nice spalted maple and made a rosette of it. After I was done, a violin maker told me that you could die from the mold in the wood. Where can I get more information about this? A few days later, Mike wrote back with this information: I found a website, www.woodbox.com/data/wood/ that has some information on spalted wood and possible health problems. Here’s an excerpt: “Spalted wood may still contain spores, therefore it should always be worked and sanded only when wearing a good dust mask or respirator, and using a dust collector. There is medical evidence that substances from decaying wood are a health threat, and some allergic reactions and serious lung diseases have been traced to spores and fungi that inhabit rotting wood. The effect on an individual woodworker however depends on his/her natural tolerance to the spores and fungi, since some individuals are more likely to react to environmental toxins than others.” Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on January 19, 2010September 9, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Spalted Wood Toxicity Questions: Spalted Wood Toxicity by Bob Woodcock Originally published in American Lutherie #71, 2002 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Six, 2013 Bob Woodcock of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania responds. Bob is both a poison information specialist and registered nurse. As to the question about spalted maple being lethal, the writer may be referring to my Dec. 1991 article on wood toxicity in Wood magazine. I mentioned a case of a wood turner with allergic asthma who was found dead in his shop with spalted maple turning on the lathe. The cause of death was acute asthma. Spalting is mostly a result of Cryptostroma corticale, a potent allergy-causing mold. You’d know if you were allergic to it; you would sneeze, cough, or tear up while working with it. These allergies tend to get worse over time, and a period away from the substance will allow the body to increase its sensitivity. Workers with allergies from work exposure find that the first day back after a few days off are the worst. This is referred to as “Monday morning asthma.” Such was probably the case with the turner. After a weekend off, his immune system was primed and ready to go; exposure resulted in death. The take-home lesson is to use common sense. If the wood seems to bother you in any way, avoid it. ◆
